null modem cable and a bit of reading and you'd be fine. Flash + reload settings + reload cams and the *other* files does not take long. Plus it's not like windows and does not spread files all over and in the registry

Hi all,

The following post over on "Dummies ... free Sat" caught my interest.

Quote: From my experience, you could add the following to your list of valid card/decoder combinations:

"An valid and activated Sky card can be used in a Dreambox without pairing using "CCcam" for ANY package and will remain alive" (CCcam is able to read out the BoxID)

Alex

End quote

OK, I'm hooked!

I have a quad-LNB dish (Diseq) pointing at 28.2, 23, 19.2 and 13 degrees and a legal Sky+ box with activated Sky card connected to 2 feeds. All Sky channels are fine.

I've long been interested in the idea of a better box than the Sky+ that can not only receive Sky but also the other birds. Up to now I've been put off by the faffing around required to keep the Sky card alive in non-Sky boxes. I'd also really like to view any FTA HD channels, and possibly also buy a Premiere sub.

I'm a deep MS tech but have absolutely no knowledge of Linux or Dreamboxes (but would love to learn). Where should I start? Which Dreambox to buy? Is CCcam hardware, software or both?

I'm happy t admit my ignorance but can anyone get me started?

RS

Sorry I have to disappoint you but Dreambox HD is not yet available. I've heard of Kathrein UFS910 having linux but am not sure about CCcam running on it. Also the guy who posted the thing about Sky Card compatibility might provide a bit of light on the matter

Greets

If you bought a Dreambox today, you'd be selling yourself down an expensive route if you want HD in the near future. It's a box replacement to do that.

Dual tuner is only available on 7025 - which has slightly iffy software support.

CCcam is an emulator. It will read most cards in the slots and will also read special files on the system with certain special codes listed - which remove the need for cards...

If you have Sky+ and want to keep that functionality (EPG and dual tuners) then that machine wins (sadly).

I too am new to the Dreambox.

More infor on the CCcam:

http://www.satellites.co.uk/satellit...am-7025-a.html

One issue that I have with the Dreambox and searching for an answer is to have a good EPG. There are a couple of options, but nothing like what you get from SKY.

Tempted to have 2 boxes, the dreambox and the Sky box, but would prefer a single box solution.

As for HD, the HD dreambox is still vapourware (well I guess a few lucky people have them who are connected to the company). There are some alternatives, but currently only single tuner that I know of, although I know of another solution that will be available in a couple of months.

As for working with a Dreambox, there are pleanty of Forums, but not found 'an idiots guide' yet. If I come across something I'll post here. You will need some Unix/Linux know-how.

http://www.satellites.co.uk/satellit...stickies-faqs/

Lob:

Where can I find the CCam Version? Have a Telnet session open form work, and have looked around, but don't see this. (dm7025)

from the command line? Don't know - vi the file maybe? Or look in /var/tuxbox/scripts/uninstall (or somewhere like that - it's the directory holding uninstall scripts anyway).

from using the box - easy. Blue button will tell you on-screen

OK, thanks. Can't see it, was just out of interest . Easier to take a look when I get home I guess.

I don't have CCam installed so that might explain it :-)

Have Gbox, but will have CCam installed so I can try it.

ok, so i bought a dreambox this evening, downloaded the Gemini firmware, flashed it.

I'll just say this: Anybody know where I can buy a null modem cable at 10:30 on a Tuesday night?

25 francs at Fust. Welcome to the club - it happens to the best of us (mind you, not on day one )

Flashing over network is for hairy-chested males

I'll get the cable and have another go tomorrow. The geek in me likes this device already :-)

Is Gemini the best firmware in your opinion?

Not had much time to spend playing with mine (7025). I do however HATE the lack of a good 'SKY Style' EPG. I started loading some software to improve this (using cute ftp) but ran into problems with missing files (I think was getting late so I gave up before I broke something).

Will take another look at this soon I hope.

In the mean-time have reconnected a Sky+ system and will probably run with dual receivers, where the Dreambox will be primarily for 13 & 19 when my Satellite parts finally arrive and I have time to run several hundreds of metres of cable.

I wasn't familiar with this, so I thought I'd write this. This is from memory so if their are minor errors please correct me by PM and I'll update it.

Howto install the Gemini Image with ccCam on a Dreambox
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:

• You follow this guide entirely at your own risk, I recommend you have a Google around to fully understand the steps our are taking.
• This guide works for Genuine Dreamboxes only
• All your current settings will be lost

You need:

• A laptop or desktop with a RS232 interface.
• A Null modem cable (you really need this)
• A REAL Dreambox, very important, if you have a Dreambox copy this WILL break your Dreambox

Preparation
1. First, download the relevant Gemini image from here (Registration required):
http://www.i-have-a-dreambox.com/wbb2/database.php

I have a DM500 plus so I downloaded the most recent image form "The Gemini Project" under the heading "Dreambox - Images DM500plus"

2. Unzip the image
3. Download Dreamup from here http://www.dream-multimedia-tv.de/Be...oadscenter.php (Linux users search the Dream Multimedia forums for a Linux beta)
4. Connect one end of your Null modem cable to the Dreambox and the other end to the Laptop/Computer.
5. Switch off the Dreambox

Flashing your Dreambox
6. Fire up Dreamup, click connect
7. Dreamup will tell you to switch on your Dreambox, do so.
8. Dreamup should detect your Dreambox correctly (identify the model number) and the "Flash" button is no longer greyed out. Click "Flash".
9. A new window appears asking you which image to use, select the Gemini image you downloaded earlier and click open.
10. Now go and grab a beer while it flashes, it'll take about 20 minutes. Don't unplug anything or fiddle around with the box while it's flashing, I'd recommend you leave your computer well alone.

When the box is done it should state flash complete (or similar). The box should reboot and the on screen display should now be different and the boot screen will display a "GP"

Installing ccCam
11.You will have to go through several setup options, I'll leave you to work that out.
12. Once you have finished setup press the blue button on your remote, select "addons" "gemini server" then "cams" select and install the most recent "cccam"
13. Click exit then "addons", "gemini server" then "cam config". Select the "cccam config" that matches the cccam you installed before and install.
14. Click exit until you are back at the TV screen, then menu, then reboot.
15. After rebooting you can press the blue button and you should now be able to choose which cam you want you use between the CI and soft cams.

You take the same steps to install other soft cams. Anything you do once you have installed the softcam probably shouldn't be discussed here.

There are some excellent multi-boot tools out there. You can then flash over the network - but your null modem cable you will use at least once so have one available

If you're running Gemini, just press the BLUE button

I haven't looked into multi boot, is there anything special I'd want to use other images for? (Not sure if i have enough memory for multi boot on my 'ickle 500)

Yes I guess the 'null modem' is just needed to get the box running initially, or if you screw up and need to re-flash it

After that Cute-FPT works great.

you can re-flash with Dreamflash and other tools. Multi-boot and you can be sure that you can get the box up quickly in case of some problem.

To FTP, I simply use the FF FireFTP plugin

Or do it all with DCC - Dreambox Control Center

Thanks for the tips Lob.

I have a lot to learn about my new toy. But for now it's not connected as I've gone back to my Sky box while I wait for my Satellite stuff to arrive (one bit is on order still), then I can have 28, 19 & 13

Tempted to keep the Sky box with just Sky+ on it for easy recording of the FTA channels, also handy for the EPG. Now have a 250Gb drive installed so need to get my money's worth out of it.

My latest toy that I'll pickup tonight (hopefully) is a 4Tb (green power drives) Netgear ReadyNAS NV+ This will run primarily as a music server using 'Slimserver/Squeezebox'. So I need to rip my CD's again in FLAC format to get the best out of my setup.